Diaphragm power chamber



Nov. 13, 1951 l E. KNAuss DIAPHRAGM POWER CHAMBER Filed April 29., 1944 INCHES OF Patented Nov. 13, 1951 EdwardrKnausspIios Angeles, Calif., assignonby.Y

mesnefassignmentsito Industrial Management Corporation, Los-Angeles, Calif., racorporation of California.

Application Apr-il 29, 1944;. SerialfNo. 5332+771' 8. Claims. (Cl. 13T-157).

l The s. present` invention frelateszfto power. chambers .or` servoemot'orsv; operateclpby` pressure: dife ferentialsi` exerted against'fan diaphragm;` which.- ndzusefulnessiainia variety' offiplacesrbut which are-.especiallyadapted-fon actuating; brakes f onA variousakinds':andtypesiof vehicles.:

There are two .principal'ztvpesrofiipowerfcham loersav presentlvf'in use; onerthef. diaphragm: type andi the:.otl're1."Y the fpiston: type: Although the-F diaphragmz. type ist; more; commonly f usedybothr;

4formsfhave .ldstinctsadvantages as well; asfcorref spondingf;disadvantages-g;V andi: itrisA an object. ofx the; present inventiont. secure atheradvantages.: found: in both; tvpesf` in ai. single-3 device at 1' the Sametime eliminating .theprincipal*disadvantagesLv of:4 eacln.

SincesA the -epullffexertedzbyfthe a power.; chamber;4 isgthe:effectiveareasofthespistonfheadi.overrthe entire; length; of-.itheg stroke; it is possiblectoxzget nearlyy 100%; efficiency'irom they pistonmtype of devices- Although-the devicefofthel--presentrines venton'. mair l be generally classed 'asf the` diaphragm-type of. power chamber it secureszsubstantia-lly 100%- pistonv action.l It, thus. providese the, advantages.ofrthe. piston type off device, with.- out the: disadvantagesrsuch as lubrication; de:- teroration voithe 'linesm due'ff-to: oil. leakagesv wearingfbetween .the piston, andrthe .cylinder res-uiting;4 in a poor seal andipr.ta-nto-inoperabilitv of. the' pistoni. type and: f further the disadvantages of frictional misalignm'entt phragm typefpowenchambers-e are constructedof. twooppositelwdisposed dished shells of,-substan-. tiallygthensameecrossfsection with outwardly exe tended flanges through..l .which ..-.passbolts which.v

serve.V not. only for,- holding the..4 devcentogether but; forhholdingq. a, flexible diaphragm..therebetween.. Accordinglythe.- .maxi-mum. diameter: of the.V- completeV ydevice is, measured.. :from thefouter. edge ofthe .-flangef.. Since-.all installations have.

unvielding space.l limitationss` a veryi -lalge per* centage thereof is.-=taken-.upi by.' the dangle-itself; Itis, an objectonthe present invention-topicoduceA` a; device-which. `acceptssthe requirement;A ofA space limitations-.and providesthemaximum pis-.-y tons power1.capacity.,for. :the .sp-ace availableI withf diaphragm.. action.. Notonly does the. device of thepresentinvention.have the advantageof the-I diaplragrn. type. of.4 device giving. a. .perfect seal;` but...wi11..give. anv` effective-y area ,for -f proper power actuation..substantially equal` to.the entire. inner.V areav of the. power.. chamber; and over;the-full4 stroke of the device. One..of.,the--,great disadvantages` of. tha-dia- 2id. p hragmwtype known .previously`v is...the fact that the diaphragm is. required .to vflex..in.the form. of an .5. duringthe. power. stroke. and'4 also.. on. the. return. stroke.V The.flexing .orr buckling. ofV the diaphragrnis a great.sourceiotroubledue. to the excessive. wearon thediaphragmnotonly where. it-.isheld' by,A theifboltedjangesf but also at the placewhere itcontacts the marginal .edges ofthedi'aphragm plate. It' apparent that-annular spacev .withini the,.chamber .at the. vmiddle portion ofthe stroke mustb'e' .providedI-fr the flexing or bucklingwhiehsspace :further reduces the .availablearea. chamber forpower.. It'uis .therefore an object of Lthepresent' invention toprovide a dia- 15.; phragm power. chamber which eliminates buckr ing-.fde'scriptionatheren isfused by way .of..example'- ling .and .which wlllltherefore produce vover the.. entire stroke a uniform ecency substantially equal' to... the entire' inner. crossesectional. area power chamberz" It'isalso an object -vof the present linvention to. produce a device which willjhavea power curve of substantially` the'same force throughout the full stroke.` This .appreciablyreduces.the excessV air capacity-and by' eliminating" the necessity of space for flexing oribuckling there is likewise eliminated'thenecessity foriremoving` air from a portion ofthe chamber-which serves nouseful purpose. Accordinglvthe present device is faster acting;

It is also an object of 'the rpresent invention' to providea device of the class described which will give-the maximumrated' pullfover the full length of the power stroke, with no lssi'n effective power towardthe endof'the stroke.

It is `alsdan obiect'oithepresent invention to provide a diaphragm offa specialftypeso that its position of rest'is that of'itsnormal preformed shape but at `the-same time ready for instant action witha'smooth rolling movement without flexing and? without substantial wear.

It* is alsofan` object'ofthe presentV invention to provide a` preformeddiaphragm of "the type described: which" terminates withl an outer beaded: peripheral pcrrti'onz;l whic'lr: not only provides for leak-proof holding .ofc the; diaphragm but` also permits'gtwto loe heldwithout bolts oriother means passing-'gthroughrtheouter edgefwhich*frequently' give rise to -tearsprips-and leaks.`

The. invention contemplates such other. and'-v furtherfobjects as willfbe apparent to.'those skilled irl-this.. art` andrwhich are; inherentlypossessed thereby. In attaining ,the foregoing. objects, toL gether withf-suchf other. objects; .advantages andi capabilities-sasfwillfbe disclosed;Withinthefiollow only the construction shown in preferred form in the accompanying sheet of drawings. Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure, l is a vertical section taken on the line III- III Vof Figure 3 showing the device in the off or released position. The broken line in- K dicates the position of the diaphragm at the end of the full stroke or in full on position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but partly in elevation and partly in section and showing the diaphragm in an intermediate position during the power stroke.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the power chamber.

Figure 4 is the power curve for the device plotted for three different sizes showing the substantially straight line pull throughout the entire power stroke.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the housing of the power chamber consists of two principal partsa cylindrical housing I and a cover member 2. 'Ihe cylindrical housing I is formed so that its side walls 4 are substantially parallel for a distance representing the entire stroke of the device, the diameter of which defines the greatest cross-sectional area of the device. The bottom is provided with an annular depression 5 which acts as a stop at the end of the stroke and also strengthens the structure. Both the housing member I and the cover member 2 are turned back at their respective peripheral edges S and 1 to form a rounded, curved contact or bead as at 8 and 9 respectively. Between this curved contact 8 and 9 is held a flexible diaphragm I preformed in the position of rest shown in full lines in Figure 1. The diaphragm I 0 is so formed into an integral structure to eliminate wear and to accomplish the smooth, rolling action required. The outer periphery or terminus of the diaphragm is formed with a bead I I. The entire device is held together in firm, leakproof engagement by a clamping ring I2 and secured by a single clamping ring bolt I4 with supporting lugs I5 and I6.

Beside the annular depression in the bottom of the main housing or chamber I there is a threaded fitting I1 which is adapted to receive a pipe connection I8 for admitting pressure changes to the inner side of the diaphragm I Il and into the chamber 20.

The diaphragm I0, as has been stated, is preformed in the position shown in Figure 1 and is so formed to permity instantaneous action and a smooth, rolling motion rather than any flexing or buckling during any portion of the stroke. The diaphragm is formed with a flat top 2| having a central aperture at 22 to permit the pull rod 23 to pass therethrough, integral and substantially vertical inner walls 24 with a reverse turned outer wall 25 which is less in length than the inner wall and terminates in an outwardly extending flange 26 and bead II.

The diaphragm is maintained in position by the diaphragm plate 30 which may be reinforced by means of annular grooves such as 3I.l TheV diaphragm plate 30 and the diaphragm are assembled for movement with the pull rod 23 by means of the diaphragm nut 32 and the diaphragm plate nut 33 with suitable washers 34. It will thus be seen that as the diaphragm moves during the power stroke in response to pressure differentials, the pull rod is moved with it and 4 actuates whatever attachment may be secured thereto.

The cover member 2 is preferably reinforced by the support plate 36, which may be welded in place, to take the strain of the mounting studs 31 passing through the cover member and its reinforcing plate. The mounting studs 31 are supplied with suitable nuts 38 and together provide the means for holding or mounting the device in the appropriate position, although any other suitable means may be used.

Spring 40 is provided for quick return of the diaphragm after release of the pressure differential. This return spring 40 is securely fastened at both ends and its presence insures the faster return and therefore faster action of the device.

One side of the diaphragm is normally exposed to atmospheric pressure. Due to the aperture 22 it will be seen that'unless one of the well-known methods of sealing this aperture is used but which permits longitudinal movement of the pull rod 23 that the right side of the diaphragm (as viewed in the drawings) will be subject to atmospheric pressure. To further secure atmospheric pressure to this side of the diaphragm additional ports such as shown at 4I in dotted lines, may be drilled in the cover member 2.

In operation, assuming that pipe I8 leads to a source of vacuum, as soon as the vacuum is applied within the chamber 2U, air pressure on the right side of the diaphragm will cause the wall 25 to assume a position snugly against the inner surface of the chamber ,wall 4. As the vacuum is increased and the stroke continues, a force substantially equal to pressure differential multiplied by the area of the inner diameter of the chamber 20 is exerted to move the pull rod 23 during the entire stroke. During that stroke the walls 25 and 24 of the diaphragm unroll against the inner surface of the chamber wall 4 with a smooth, flowing movement until the position of full on is attained. There is no buckling or flexing of the diaphragm Ill either in the power stroke or in the return and no space is provided in the chamber for any flexing or buckling. Likewise there is no occasion to remove any air fromany portion of the device which serves no useful purpose, but rather the entire inner area is in use for the entire power stroke.

In conventional diaphragm actuators heretofore available, the free effective area of the diaphragm has been limited to that within the clamped edge. In the applicants device, on the other hand, ample space is provided for secure clamping means for the diaphragm without detracting from the working area thereof. The applicants actuator makes use of the entire available mounting space less only the insignificant thickness of the chamber wall 4. In conventional actuators, on the other hand, a very substantial radial width of the clamping flanges of the diaphragm must be subtracted from the effective area of the diaphragm.

It is also to be noted that as pressure is applied on the atmosphere side of the diaphragm during the stroke there will be a tendency toward a tighter juncture and sealingy at the point where the diaphragm is held by the two housing members I and 2. As the pressure is exerted on the diaphragm the pull will be against the bead and against the rolled edges 8 and 9, thus accomplishing a sealed holding of the diaphragm and insuring against any possible leak or distortion at this point. Y

In Figure 4 there is shown an actual recording agave-voor of the pounds'efrpuurorAuireecifferent sizes of theszdevice shown and disclosed hereinaf. Inra'.

ive inch' strokethe fulLratedfcapacity iseattaiiied practically .atcthenutsetinutili-nere. importantis thev `fact that .this .fulL ratedz-icapacity is=;'.main tained throughoutIW the, entiree remaining@ stroke, affeature which has. not heretofore beenraccomiplishedl; It? is .also to.. be, observedi thats there. is noa-falling off .invpoweniltowardeithe end"rof;.th`e strokes. 'This'. results .fromhavringafunifomn 'force exerted against a .,uniform: ,areaetlroug-liout -lth'e entireyoperating. stroke. ItzisfapparentLtliatathe devicefutilizes ,theentirechamben area andithereby:developsaxfargreater forceiforia givenzdiameiterrthan yhas heretofore been attained from any diaphragmi type. power actuators.

Iti'willbef'.seenalsathat the usci-.ofi the clamping ring I2 provides a quick and economic means of assembly and disassembly which simplification not only improves the life of the device but contributes substantial advantages in the saving of time, money and labor.

The present application is a continuation in part of my earlier application filed August 2, 1940 and serially numbered 349,964, which is now abandoned.

I claimt 1. A power actuator comprising in combination, a diaphragm having an outer ange with a bead formed around its periphery, a body member and a cover member to hold said diaphragm and adapted to be connected to diierent pressure sources, said members having the cooperating edges thereof formed to provide beads which engage said ange along its line of vjoinder with its bead, and a clamping ring to hold said members on opposite sides of said flange, said clamping ring having an inwardly faced channel t0 receive said beads of said members and said flange, and also covering said beads.

2. A power actuator comprising in combination, a diaphragm having an outer ange with a bead formed around its periphery, a pair of cooperating housing members to hold said diaphragm and adapted to be connected to diierent sources of pressure, said members having the cooperating edges thereof formed to provide beads which engage said flange along its line of joinder with its bead, and a clamping ring to hold said members on opposite sides of said flange, said clamping ring having an inwardly faced channel to receive said beads of said members and said flange, and also covering said beads.

3. In a power actuator, a casing formed of a dished section and an abutting cylindrical section beaded at their adjacent edges and within the maximum ,diameter of said casing, and adapted to be interiorly connected to diierent pressure sources, a movable diaphragm within said casing formed with a beaded outer peripheral edge seated between the beaded edges of said sections and extending exteriorly thereof, characterized in that the movement of said diaphragm under a pressure differential thereacross functions to draw the beaded periphery of said diaphragm more tightly between the beaded edges of said sections to provide a tighter seal.

4i. In a power actuator, a casing formed of a dished section and an abutting cylindrical section beaded at their adjacent edges within the maximum diameter of said casing, and adapted to be interiorly connected to different pressure sources, a movable diaphragm formed with reversely extending inner and outer cylindrical walls positioned Within said casing, the outer diameterV casing: section# ini the presence ofaf pressure differential` uporr-v the opposite# sides thereofisaid lmovemen't'tendingto`drawfsaid dia-- phragmL bead'f'romf between said beadedY section:- edges to make aftighter'1A seal:-

5";j` InV apower actuator;A a: casing:fbrme'd with?. a dished sectionland'- anabutting cylindrical! sectionx adaptedfv to' be connected tol diierent pres* sure'fsources; theabuttingejdges being'within the maximum internal'- -diameter ofthe cylinderf aff' iiexible diaphragmrolledY upon "itselfft'o" icirm;v

inner'andoute'rtelescoped walls, the outer of said walls having...a.pen'pheral. edge portion secured between`saidabutting edges and said inner wall normal-ly! extendingnip'onl'bot-h. sides ofilsaid abutting edges when subjected ltbequalfi pressuresi on opposite sides thereof, characterized in that in the presence of a pressure difference upon opposite sides of said diaphragm said diaphragm inner wall unrolls to cause expansion of said outer wall against said cylindrical section wall to be positioned radially outside said abutting edges.

6. A power actuator comprising in comb-ination: a diaphragm having a peripheral flange adapted to be secured in anannular groove; a iirst body member having a rst annular seat portion substantially equal in diameter to the minimum diameter of said ange, said body member being adapted for connection to a rst pressure source and being flared outwardly and extending parallelly from said seat portion whereby to form a cylindrical working chamber having an internal diameter not less than the maximum diameter of said ange; an adjoining second body member having a second annular seat portion substantially equal in diameter to said first seat portion and positioned in spaced parallel relationship therewith, said second body member being adapted for connection to a different pressure source; and clamping and interconnecting means engageable with said body members and adapted to secure the same together with said seat portion in abutting position to form a groove between said portions with said ilange clamped therein whereby said diaphragm is adapted to have an effective area in said working chamber greater than the area within said flange.

7. The construction of claim 6 further characterized in that said seat portions are formed with outwardly extending beads and said clamping means is a ring with an internal groove adapted'to embrace said beads to secure the same lin said abutting position.

8. In combination in a power actuator of the type in which a diaphragm is mounted transversely in a cylindrical enclosure, is moved by differential pressures on opposite sides thereof, and in which said diaphragm movement is transmitted by a connecting member secured thereto; a circular diaphragm having a cup-shaped body and a peripheral bead; a first section of said enclosure having an internal diameter substantially greater than that of said diaphragm bead, said rst section being necked down to a diameter substantially equal to that of said bead to form one side of a seat for said bead; a second section of said enclosure, said second section having a anged portion adapted to cooperate with said iirst sectionto form therewith a complete 7 seat for said bead; means to secure said sections together to retain said diaphragm bead in said seat whereby said diaphragm separates said first and second enclosure sections to form two chambers; and a plate formed with a skirt thereon secured to said diaphragm and movable therewith, said plate being positioned on the side of said diaphragm exposed to said Iirst section and with said skirt extending theretoward, said diaphragm being folded back on itself and when under motivating pressure being supported cooperatively by said skirt and the inner Wall of said rst section whereby the effective pressure responsive diameter of said diaphragm is at least equal to that of said bead.

EDWARD KNAUSS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

